I just got 20.7 MPG!

[Ryanmb21]

On a trip down highway 5 from SAC to LA my GPS odometer 406 miles.....at the pump my 4runner took 19.6 gallons.

406/19.6 = 20.7MPG.......my best yet.

I know there is the whole "...it's a 4x4 who cares.......get a prius if you monitor MPG" thing but I thought I'd share anyways.

I just hit 20K and am going to switch my diff fluids to synthetic I'm hoping this will help. Also to note, my girlfriend drove half the mileage so maybe this was the trick...

Anybody else with 265/70/17's getting over 400 a tank? If possible I would like to make this the norm.

[JAM07Sport]

Thats good do you have a 8 or 6. I got 22 on a road trip over the summer with stock tires and was averaging 20 until the arb and lift now the average is 18.5 no highway. I got 19 on the last highway trip with my v6. I know what you mean everyone tells me the same thing "I dont buy a truck for the gas milage" But man sure is nice to get 18+ when the H3 with 33's stock average 14mpg. Were still ahead of the game.

[bulldog]

That's great!! Last time I got 20+ MPG was when I was completely stock. Currently I'm trying to figure out how to get 15 on the highway driving at decent speed (not hobbling along at 60).

[Ryanmb21]

I have the v6.... I think another factor was that due to traffic we went slower than my usual 75 MPH+

[deepdown]

I have the V8 and I keep a close eye on my mileage as I average over 600 miles/wk. I have 265/75R16 BFG's at about 50% tread life. I usually get 18+ mpg on the freeway but with a light tailwind and keeping the needle under 70mph I can get as much as 21mpg. I use a synthetic blend oil and run 88 octane.

[Dealmaker]

It takes almost a full tank for me to go about 300 miles. At 80 MPH I can't sem to beat 15-16 MPG at the best :cry:

[Vegas Runner]

I generally get 250 miles to a tank. 12.5 MPG.

[bulldog]

Man you guys make me feel better again about getting 11-13MPG at the moment (don't do a lot of city driving anymore). I still think I can get it better though.

You guys running premium??

[JAM07Sport]

Is anyone taking into account the bigger tires. You are going farther than the O/D says. I dont know the exact math but to me it would seem that the guys running the 265/70 or 75 could add at least a mile per gallon and the ones running 285's should add 2mpg? Does anyone follow this or am I losing it. Bulldog I would think you could add 3-4 with 34's. I guess the only way to tell would be to have a gps track the miliage for a tank of fuel.

[Duc Hunter]

I now base my MPG on the odometer in my DNX7100 Kenwood/Garmin head unit. It reads the most accurate mileage. Even stock my odometer and the silly MPG gauge were both off, and of different amounts. Now, with my 285’s they are both off even more. I consistently get 15-16 mpg around town based on its ODO. Based on the stock one though it would be much worse. On my last road trip, loaded down for camping for the weekend, I got right at 400 miles on my tank of gas going the speed limit with the cruise on. Here the speed limit is 70 most places.

We all need to be careful when posting MPG to use corrected miles when calculating, ideally off of a GPS or after having used a GPS for a whole tank of gas to determine the real inaccuracy of our odometers.

[Ryanmb21]

Good comments guys, this is always an interesting topic with the price we're paying for gas these days.

I have been running 91 octane for last 10,000 miles since I read that article about the computer taking a couple thousand miles to adjust and run most efficiently.

Another note, with 265/70/17's my odometer runs 5% under, when it says I run 100 miles I've gone 105.

Funny thing is that my dash MPG thing was right on...

[JohnD]

WOW! well if im driving the v8 runner i get about 12.7 mpg, if Lily drives the v8 runner she gets 14.9 mpg.. Definelty the drivers LOL! MT/R's 737lb of additional armor,bumpers, etc!!

[bulldog]

Another note, with 265/70/17's my odometer runs 5% under, when it says I run 100 miles I've gone 105.

Funny thing is that my dash MPG thing was right on...

That is pretty much what I found when I ran 265/70/17 Revos. My odo would underread by 5%. The MPG display would be accurate most times, but I found it to be inconsistent though pending on how much city or offroad driving I would do on a tank.

[deepdown]

It takes almost a full tank for me to go about 300 miles. At 80 MPH I can't sem to beat 15-16 MPG at the best :cry:

Same here! Once I hit the 75mph zone my average drops quickly. Today I did 265 miles, mostly freeway and at least 50% of it above 75mph. My average, per the trip computer was 17.2 mpg.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Here is a link to a calculator I found a while back. You just enter your stock tire size and your new tire size and it will tell you how far off your odometer is. It tells me mine is 3.6% off thus my true mpg. would be 17.819 mpg. for the day.

[AlexJet]

When my truck was stock (it's V6) I had 13l/100km city and 10l/100km highway (110km/h). In Imperial - 18mpg city / 24mpg highway 70mph.
Right now with 7" lift and 35" tires my mileage is 19.5l/100km city and 17.5l/100km highway. Imperial conversion - 12mpg city / 13mpg highway.
I need to regear it to 4.56 to get better mileage.

Andries, how much do you get? Is this highway with 4.56 gears?
Man you guys make me feel better again about getting 11-13MPG at the moment (don't do a lot of city driving anymore)

[bulldog]

When my truck was stock (it's V6) I had 13l/100km city and 10l/100km highway (110km/h). In Imperial - 18mpg city / 24mpg highway 70mph.
Right now with 7" lift and 35" tires my mileage is 19.5l/100km city and 17.5l/100km highway. Imperial conversion - 12mpg city / 13mpg highway.
I need to regear it to 4.56 to get better mileage.

Andries, how much do you get? Is this highway with 4.56 gears?
Man you guys make me feel better again about getting 11-13MPG at the moment (don't do a lot of city driving anymore)

Yes mine is with the 4.56 gears. The mileage listed is mostly highway driving. In town it looks like 10-12 pending how I drive.

[AlexJet]

Yes mine is with the 4.56 gears. The mileage listed is mostly highway driving. In town it looks like 10-12 pending how I drive.

That seems to be the same as I'm getting with stock 3.73. I thought that with 4.56 the mielage should go up 2-3mpg, but you exampla shows the opposite -it stays the same. Am I missing something...with higher gears the engine will work on higher RPM but with less load (my ScanGauge II shows that in the city I'm usually at 65-80% load and on the highway at 70mph at 82-85%), so the consumption should go down; plus it should have better acceleration and highway handling.:confused:

[bulldog]

That seems to be the same as I'm getting with stock 3.73. I thought that with 4.56 the mielage should go up 2-3mpg, but you exampla shows the opposite -it stays the same. Am I missing something...with higher gears the engine will work on higher RPM but with less load (my ScanGauge II shows that in the city I'm usually at 65-80% load and on the highway at 70mph at 82-85%), so the consumption should go down; plus it should have better acceleration and highway handling.:confused:

You are assuming we have similar driving habits and environment. I typically do 75-80 (85) on the highway. I have not checked my engine load though, I will probably do that at some point to check throttle, etc.

[AlexJet]

You are assuming we have similar driving habits and environment. I typically do 75-80 (85) on the highway. I have not checked my engine load though, I will probably do that at some point to check throttle, etc.

Ontario is pretty much flat, so no mountain highway, just small hills. I do 70-75mph on the highway. I'm also trying to be gentle on the pedals, so I'm not breaking stock gears.

[expat]

Yeah, I'm kinda with Alex on this. I thought with the the regearing you'd be experienceing better "economy." I know you're a lead foot - how about doing a test for us at freeway speed (75mph) steady, and some 'burbs driving at "normal' pace?

[AlexJet]

Yeah, I'm kinda with Alex on this. I thought with the the regearing you'd be experienceing better "economy." I know you're a lead foot - how about doing a test for us at freeway speed (75mph) steady, and some 'burbs driving at "normal' pace?

Mark is right. Let's do some test. I'll make a test run on stock 3.73 gears with my 35" and Andries with 4.56 gears and his 35".
It should give us some comparable data. Flat highway, 70mph (I don't want to do more, because we have :pissed2: Highway Patrol and new rules with up to $10'000 fine and confiscation of the vehicle). I have now 35x12.5-R17 ProComp, Andries is running 315/75-R16 Toyo.

I’ll put a full tank of gas, reset my odometer, drive some distance and fill-up again. Using the distance covered and amount of fuel I will have to add to the full tank, I’ll have an average consumption.
:bigok:

[bulldog]

I don't have to much flat highway close to me to do a proper test. Alex just slap in the gears and see what your mileage does.

To do a proper comparison test the vehicles need to be similarly equipped, operate in similar environments, etc, etc Otherwise it is a pretty meaningless test. It is much more meaningful to test the same vehicle in the same environment with the changes made.

What I do know is I was getting around 15 MPG with the 35s and the 4.56 drivng slowly (70) on the highway, but lately it has not been so hot. It seems that it might be related to myvibration issue which I'm checking out. Not sure if it is truly related or not though. I also added the low profile roofrack in the mean time, which doesn't help things.

I'll report back on my mileage as I get thigns sorted out, but I don't know if it will be useful for comparison purposes with Alex. Mor ejust for indication purposes.

[JAM07Sport]

There is no good way to conduct this kind of test between the 2 4r because you guys dont even live close to each other. Emission equipment is probley not the same. California has all kind of crap bolted onto vehicles and canada may not have any I dont know but I know that a cali.4r and a Pa.4r are diffrent and this will effect milage. Also you would have to determine if the fuels are the same. On the east coast they put oxygination in the gas for winter which usally results in a 1 mpg decrese. Which is supose to reduce emmissions or something like that. Plus doesent Alex have a v6 and bulldog have a v8.

If you do decide to do this alex will most likley have good mpg because the enigine will be running at a very low rpm at 70 the most stress the engine will have is getting it to 70mph. Bulldog has close to stock final drive ratio with the 4.56 gears and 35's. I guess that his OD may not be that far off. Just my:2cents

[AlexJet]

Andries,
So far is what we have. I'm on the East coast and you're on the West. But we still can compare taking in consideration that we have different terrain and vehicle load. BTW, did you weight yours? Mine was 5520lb with all the mods, me and full tank of gas, without any trail load.
Let's try it out and then see what we come up to. THIS WILL NOT BE EXACT FIGURES (message for other members!)
As you mentioned you had 15mpg at 70mph with 4.56 and roof rack and I measured 13mpg at 70mph and 3.73 with my truck being 5500lb. It's already better in 2mpg. Anyway, let's do this run and post it up.

I will start the thread Gas Consuption with different Tires/Lift options (http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?p=30618#post30618), so everybody can post their data. May be this will be good source of information for others if someone will be considering doing Tires/Lift mods.

[expat]

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting a comparison of Alex and Andries. I was more interested in Andries taking a drive at freeway speeds to hear how his mileage has panned out since the re-gearing. I know he has a fridge, roof rack, steel bumpers front and rear etc., so I know all that. Was more curious what Andries could achieve with some moderate driving as compared to his usual pace (LOL)

[bulldog]

Yeah yeah you guys just want me to use up my 4Runner runnign aorund aimlessly on the highway. I will post up my findings as I get them. I actually dow want to run on the highway with my scantool conncted to see engine load, throttle position, etc graphs.

[bulldog]

I did a quick test run on the highway. Hooked up the scan gauge and recorded the parameters.

Attached is the graph (corrected for speedoand odo error) for fuel economy vs speed of my short highway trip. Average engine load was 50% at around 70MPH, RPM was a little less than 2300. Thuis is true 70MPH not what the speedo says.

Average for the run was 15 MPG. It will be a while till I can test proper tank to tank, as my commute highway driving isn't exactly smooth. Mileage drops significantly at 80 MPH, but I didn't get a long enough run yet.

ANyway once I get all the goodies done I might be abel to do a proper run. I do notice a big difference between Alex's engine load report vs what mine is. 80% vs 50% is pretty significant.

[expat]

Interesting info and cool graph. Thanks for posting.

[JAM07Sport]

I did a quick test run on the highway. Hooked up the scan gauge and recorded the parameters.

Attached is the graph (corrected for speedoand odo error) for fuel economy vs speed of my short highway trip. Average engine load was 50% at around 70MPH, RPM was a little less than 2300. Thuis is true 70MPH not what the speedo says.

Average for the run was 15 MPG. It will be a while till I can test proper tank to tank, as my commute highway driving isn't exactly smooth. Mileage drops significantly at 80 MPH, but I didn't get a long enough run yet.

ANyway once I get all the goodies done I might be abel to do a proper run. I do notice a big difference between Alex's engine load report vs what mine is. 80% vs 50% is pretty significant.

What kind of scan tool are you using to get graphs like that. I useto use a sanpon scanner quite often to find codes at a shop. It may have been able to do this but i never used it for this purpose. That thing cost 5 grand about 10yrs ago. I saw some hand held models in sears for 80-200$. Just wondering what you might have.

[bulldog]

What kind of scan tool are you using to get graphs like that. I useto use a sanpon scanner quite often to find codes at a shop. It may have been able to do this but i never used it for this purpose. That thing cost 5 grand about 10yrs ago. I saw some hand held models in sears for 80-200$. Just wondering what you might have.

I use DYnoscan fro Windows, so I can plug into my laptop. The software can then capture and store the live data, and later show it or export it to a comma delimited file. I just pulled the data and then you can make graphs to your hearts content. This allowed me to correct for the odo and speedo errors.

[my034runner]

I keep reading about Andries an Alex doing a comparison. Did Alex all of a sudden do the V8 Swap mod??? If so, I must have been :sleep: :sleep:

Last I knew, was Andries = '03(non-VVT-i) V8, and Alex, like me, have the V6.

So, how would comparing the two help??:poke: :poke: :P

[my034runner]

Nice graph Andries, thanks.:cool1:

[bulldog]

Finally figured out how to get a graph directly from the scan tool software.

I attach the graph below. Keep in mind that the actual speed is 12-13% faster than shown due to larger tires, and also that the odo is 15-16% off. Simple translation add 12-13% to the speed and 15-16% to the mpg shown.

The 2 high and low points on the fuel was when I played with the throttle a bit to see what the tool does.

What it tells me is that in theory if I drive on a relatively flat highway at just under 70MPH I should easily get 15 or more MPG if I correct for instrumentation error. I'll see if I can get 15MPG at 75MPH though, which is my goal.

Bottom line big tires, lift, roofrack = very bad mileage at speeds higher than 70 or so.

Alex you might be interested in the % engine load vs what you see. That is one of th ebig motivators for regearing, to reduce engine load at highway speeds. I think your V6 is working very hard with stock gearign and your weight, tires and lift height. If you add a roofrack things will get even worse.

[AlexJet]

I keep reading about Andries an Alex doing a comparison. Did Alex all of a sudden do the V8 Swap mod??? If so, I must have been :sleep: :sleep:

Last I knew, was Andries = '03(non-VVT-i) V8, and Alex, like me, have the V6.

So, how would comparing the two help??:poke: :poke: :P

Finally figured out how to get a graph directly from the scan tool software.

I attach the graph below. Keep in mind that the actual speed is 12-13% faster than shown due to larger tires, and also that the odo is 15-16% off. Simple translation add 12-13% to the speed and 15-16% to the mpg shown.

The 2 high and low points on the fuel was when I played with the throttle a bit to see what the tool does.

What it tells me is that in theory if I drive on a relatively flat highway at just under 70MPH I should easily get 15 or more MPG if I correct for instrumentation error. I'll see if I can get 15MPG at 75MPH though, which is my goal.

Bottom line big tires, lift, roofrack = very bad mileage at speeds higher than 70 or so.

Alex you might be interested in the % engine load vs what you see. That is one of th ebig motivators for regearing, to reduce engine load at highway speeds. I think your V6 is working very hard with stock gearign and your weight, tires and lift height. If you add a roofrack things will get even worse.


You're right, I have V6 and Andries is V8. Based on stock calculations V8 should get 1-2 l/100km more then V6.
This one good point. I should get better mileage then he, but in fact he does a little better then me (his V8 gets similar consumption and sometimes better then my V6). All this shows, at least for me, that regearing is:
- reducing gas consumption a little bit
- reducing engine load significully
I'd have to check the consuption and load after I'll change the gears for exact figures. I just hope that Yukon will finally put then on the market in the Spring/Summer 2008

[Flip Dog]

I have recorded 22+ MPG on stock tires and V6 4x4 several times. :sleep: keep it under 65mph.

[joshua]

I have 285/75/16s running BFG ATs. I have my front Arb bumper, WARN winch, CBI rear carrier and full spare mounted. Those are my only weight adding mods. I went to Mt Hood on Saturday with 3 others, the back full of your basic snow clothing and 4 snowboards on my snowboard rack. Running 89oct gasoline, pretty much all freeway miles, I ended up getting roughly 14.3mpg on my last tank. I still haven't done my 60k tune up yet and I figure the fuel filter has never been replaced either so that is also something I'll get around to doing here soon.

[AlexJet]

I drove to my in-laws last night. They are about 30km North from my home. It was normal country road with a speed limit of 70km/h. So I've decided to see how well I'll do there. I filled-up last night before going there and then filled-up this morning. The difference was 13l (3.5gal). My odometer showed 66.9km (41.8mi) and my GPS 77.2km (48.25mi).
First of all the travel difference between odometer and real one is 15.4%.
Second, consuption was 16.8l/100km (14mpg). This wasn't a continues run at 70km/h (45mph), because its a country road with nearly 20 traffic lights every 2km (1.5mi).
I'll do proper highway and city test runs this week with at least 100km (60mi), but I was thinking that this might be a good start point.
If my calculatiions right, regearing is the must on 35" tires. 14mpg with average 30mph with my V6 compare to Andries 15mpg at 70mph and his V8.

[AlexJet]

I have recorded 22+ MPG on stock tires and V6 4x4 several times. :sleep: keep it under 65mph.

When I was stock, I made once 8.7l/100km on 800km highway run at 110km/h (26mpg, 500mi, 68mph)

[Duc Hunter]

If my calculatiions right, regearing is the must on 35" tires. 14mpg with average 30mph with my V6 compare to Andries 15mpg at 70mph and his V8.

Just to throw some reason on the fire here.........what is the circumference difference between 33" tires and 35" tires? Is that small change so significant that it causes a huge loss in MPG? Has anyone looked at the fuel map of these rigs to see what our load factors are at different speeds to see where the cross over is from the cruise part of the map to the load part? That would be critical to determining where our engines are most efficient.

I ask because my 33's and I can get 17+ on a freeway road trip at 70mph with my V8. Now I use premium gas (as I have noticed a difference in MPG by using it) and the cruise control and set it at the speed limit but still. When I get 14mpg it is a bad tank of regular gas and trips no more than 10 miles at a time on city streets, meaning it is a rare thing. Most tanks I average 16mpg (corrected, meaning using GPS odometer).

[AlexJet]

Just to throw some reason on the fire here.........what is the circumference difference between 33" tires and 35" tires? Is that small change so significant that it causes a huge loss in MPG? Has anyone looked at the fuel map of these rigs to see what our load factors are at different speeds to see where the cross over is from the cruise part of the map to the load part? That would be critical to determining where our engines are most efficient.

I ask because my 33's and I can get 17+ on a freeway road trip at 70mph with my V8. Now I use premium gas (as I have noticed a difference in MPG by using it) and the cruise control and set it at the speed limit but still. When I get 14mpg it is a bad tank of regular gas and trips no more than 10 miles at a time on city streets, meaning it is a rare thing. Most tanks I average 16mpg (corrected, meaning using GPS odometer).

Stock tires are 99.3"
33" are 102.8"
35" are 108"
Based on miata tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html)
I tried regular, medium and premium. There is no significant difference in fuel consuption for me, but there is some difference in responce. So I stayed with regular Shell gas.

35" are larger and heavier and there is a difference. I just want to find out how much exactly. So far its 15l/100km vs. 19l/100km (15.5 vs. 13 =>2.5mpg differece)

[bulldog]

The rolling resistence of 35 MT tires are huge as they are normally 12.5 wide. FOlsk with various platofrms have reported a huge difference from going from 33s to 35s. I never an 35s so can't say.

I think it is muh more than just the diamter of the tire, but width, weight and rolling resistance all goes up. Also I seem to spot a pattern that MTs give worse gas mileage than ATs. Not surprising given the thread pattern and rolling resistance (also weight in most cases).

[Duc Hunter]

:iagree :rockon: :drink:

I notice enough of a difference on Premium gas that over the course of a tank it pays for itself and then a little, so I use it. Now mine is 93 down here and in CA it was 91, and did not make nearly the difference it does here in Fl.

[AlexJet]

:iagree :rockon: :drink:

I notice enough of a difference on Premium gas that over the course of a tank it pays for itself and then a little, so I use it. Now mine is 93 down here and in CA it was 91, and did not make nearly the difference it does here in Fl.

It either much better fuel in Florida or warm climate makes such a difference, because I can't feel it here in cold Canada.

[JAM07Sport]

Alex you most likely would not feel a diffrence I dont know what canada emmisions requirements are like but in the states the goverment requires additives to be put in fuel in colder climates when its cold. The additives usally result in a loss of 1-2 miles per gallon. I would bet florda does not have these additives in their fuel. The clodest it gets in the norhtern part of florda might be +20F twice a year for most part they are warm 50-70F in the winter.
In PA the gas stations are required to put a sticker on the pump to let you know if the fuel has been treated with oxygenation for winter use. I usally start seeing them in oct. along with a mpg decrease. Diesel has the same problems truckers have to watch getting fuel in the south if they are headed north. It wont have the additives to keep it from jelling up. Canada may require additives all year round? So you may never get the same mpg as us in the states or you may get better? :bigok:

Side note do all vehicles in canada come with the engine block warmer or is it a option?

[AlexJet]

Alex you most likely would not feel a diffrence I dont know what canada emmisions requirements are like but in the states the goverment requires additives to be put in fuel in colder climates when its cold. The additives usally result in a loss of 1-2 miles per gallon. I would bet florda does not have these additives in their fuel. The clodest it gets in the norhtern part of florda might be +20F twice a year for most part they are warm 50-70F in the winter.
In PA the gas stations are required to put a sticker on the pump to let you know if the fuel has been treated with oxygenation for winter use. I usally start seeing them in oct. along with a mpg decrease. Diesel has the same problems truckers have to watch getting fuel in the south if they are headed north. It wont have the additives to keep it from jelling up. Canada may require additives all year round? So you may never get the same mpg as us in the states or you may get better? :bigok:

Side note do all vehicles in canada come with the engine block warmer or is it a option?

You may be right. We do not have stickers on our gas stations, except the one that regular has 10% ethanol, medium 5% and premium 0%.

As of the block heaters, in some provinces it's standrd, like Alberta; in Ontario it's optional.

[AlexJet]

I've done a "test" run in city cycle. 70% short trips (less then 15km or 10 miles). Regular Shell 87 gas, 35x12.50-R17 ProComp AllTerrains.
Here is the details:

373 km (GPS), 324km (odo) - 68.63 liters => 18.4 l/100km, 19.2 l/100km (trip computer)
235 mi (GPS), 202 mi (odo) - 18.35 gal => 12.8 mpg, 12.3 mpg (trip computer)

Will do highway test this week as well.

[Duc Hunter]

Just did a test....well my last tank of gas, 160 miles of highway and then city driving mostly for the rest. I got a GPS corrected 16.7 mpg on my V8 with OME and 285 Revo's. I ran premium gas and stuck to 5-10 over the speed limit on the highway (60-70 mph posted speed limits).

[AlexJet]

I've done a "test" run in city cycle. 70% short trips (less then 15km or 10 miles). Regular Shell 87 gas, 35x12.50-R17 ProComp AllTerrains.
Here is the details:

373 km (GPS), 324km (odo) - 68.63 liters => 18.4 l/100km, 19.2 l/100km (trip computer)
235 mi (GPS), 202 mi (odo) - 18.35 gal => 12.8 mpg, 12.3 mpg (trip computer)

Will do highway test this week as well.

"Highway" test results:

330 km (GPS), 286 (odo) - 52.35 liters => 15.8 l/100km, 16.7 l/100km (trip computer)
206 mi (GPS), 179 (odo) - 14 gal => 14.7 mpg, 14.1 mpg (trip computer)

[AlexJet]

I've done a "test" run in city cycle. 70% short trips (less then 15km or 10 miles). Regular Shell 87 gas, 35x12.50-R17 ProComp AllTerrains.
Here is the details:

373 km (GPS), 324km (odo) - 68.63 liters => 18.4 l/100km, 19.2 l/100km (trip computer)
235 mi (GPS), 202 mi (odo) - 18.35 gal => 12.8 mpg, 12.3 mpg (trip computer)

Will do highway test this week as well.

I used another tank of gus with city driving and got following results:

422 km (264 mi) - 83.7 litre (22.4 gal) => 19.8 l/100km (11.9 mpg) :pissed2:
It seems that gears are moving to the top of my list.

[expat]

Don't know whether it been mentioned but besides the wheels and tires, you've probably lost a lot of mpg in wind resistance too, since your lifted so high. The steel armor is probably weighing you down a lot too. 12mpg sux!

[AlexJet]

Don't know whether it been mentioned but besides the wheels and tires, you've probably lost a lot of mpg in wind resistance too, since your lifted so high. The steel armor is probably weighing you down a lot too. 12mpg sux!

I know... LC100, Lexus LX, Cadilac Escalade are nearly as big as I'm now, but not that thursty. Of course wind resistance is one of the key factors, but not in city driving.
Additional weight and larger tires are the most fuel unefficial part, so I hope gears will help. Can't wait till Yukon or others will made 4.56.
:iagree 12mpg is :( :guns: :cry: :pissed1: :thumbsdow :pissed2:

[bulldog]

I think your city gas mileage will improve quite a bit after regearing, as the engine wont have to work so hard getting you up to speed. But with 7" of lift, a lot of weight and 35 MTs I wont expect any wonders for fuel economy.

[AlexJet]

I think your city gas mileage will improve quite a bit after regearing, as the engine wont have to work so hard getting you up to speed. But with 7" of lift, a lot of weight and 35 MTs I wont expect any wonders for fuel economy.

I agree with you and I do not expect a miracle. I just want to have 15-16 L/100km (15-16 mpg) city and 12-13 l/100km (18-19 mpg) highway

[bulldog]

I agree with you and I do not expect a miracle. I just want to have 15-16 L/100km (15-16 mpg) city and 12-13 l/100km (18-19 mpg) highway

I think you might be optimistic with what you are aiming for, unless you are a slow driver by nature.

[AlexJet]

I think you might be optimistic with what you are aiming for, unless you are a slow driver by nature.

I used to have 12-13 l/100km (18-19 mpg) city and 10-11 l/100km (22-24 mpg) highway in stock configuration. So I'd like to go back half way, but I'd never know it before I'll do a gear swap. Will have to see it, so far it's my target.

[Ryanmb21]

I agree with you and I do not expect a miracle. I just want to have 15-16 L/100km (15-16 mpg) city and 12-13 l/100km (18-19 mpg) highway

Yeah buddy, I think you're being VERY optimistic with those hopes. Most guys with a 2" lift and 33's don't average 19mpg on the highway. With a 7" lift and 35" tires my bet is 15mpg highway.

As for the comparison with the LC100, Lexus LX, Cadilac Escalade they may weight as much but they all have: v8, less wind resistance and less rolling resistance.

[AlexJet]

Yeah buddy, I think you're being VERY optimistic with those hopes. Most guys with a 2" lift and 33's don't average 19mpg on the highway. With a 7" lift and 35" tires my bet is 15mpg highway.

As for the comparison with the LC100, Lexus LX, Cadilac Escalade they may weight as much but they all have: v8, less wind resistance and less rolling resistance.

I'm getting 15mpg on the highway right now with 7" lift, 35" tires and stock 3.73 gears. With a new set of 4.56 I'd hope to get 2-3 mpg more.

As of other vehicles, they have V8 ("+" for me as I have V6), smaller tires ("-" for me, 35"), as of wind resistance, I think we're at the same level as I can see when they park beside me.

Again, no miracle is expected, just major improvement.

[Ryanmb21]

This last week i did a lot of highway driving, did an MPG test on my last leg to see how I was doing and here is what I came up with:

226.8 Miles (GPS) / 10.9 gallons = 20.81MPG :cool1:

Before my trip I changed my diffs and transfer case to Mobil1 synthetic. I'm hoping this will now be the norm.

[bulldog]

Finally figured out how to get a graph directly from the scan tool software.

I attach the graph below. Keep in mind that the actual speed is 12-13% faster than shown due to larger tires, and also that the odo is 15-16% off. Simple translation add 12-13% to the speed and 15-16% to the mpg shown.

The 2 high and low points on the fuel was when I played with the throttle a bit to see what the tool does.

What it tells me is that in theory if I drive on a relatively flat highway at just under 70MPH I should easily get 15 or more MPG if I correct for instrumentation error. I'll see if I can get 15MPG at 75MPH though, which is my goal.

Bottom line big tires, lift, roofrack = very bad mileage at speeds higher than 70 or so.

Alex you might be interested in the % engine load vs what you see. That is one of th ebig motivators for regearing, to reduce engine load at highway speeds. I think your V6 is working very hard with stock gearign and your weight, tires and lift height. If you add a roofrack things will get even worse.

I checked my tires and realized that hey were at 26 PSI for some reason. I'm upping it to 35 PSI and after I do all the service details (Engine, tranny and driveline fluids I will measure the MPG again.

[Duc Hunter]

As of other vehicles, they have V8 ("+" for me as I have V6), smaller tires ("-" for me, 35")

Alex, question. I would think it is a plus to have a V8 over a V6 for MPG when the engine loads go up, a-la towing or bigger tires and more weight. Why? Because the V8 has more torque to work with, especially down low, so throttle position wise it does not have to work as hard as the V6 to pull the same load. Also, ultimately the V8 can pull more weight, so as a % of its max, it is working less hard, if that makes sense. No load I think the V6 wins hands down, esp the 5 speed V6's. Don't you think though, under load, the V8 could be bettter?

Oh, I know it is in here some where, but I am too lazy to hunt right now. What do the V8/5 speeds have in the diff, versus your V6 with 3.73's? Thanks!

[AlexJet]

Alex, question. I would think it is a plus to have a V8 over a V6 for MPG when the engine loads go up, a-la towing or bigger tires and more weight. Why? Because the V8 has more torque to work with, especially down low, so throttle position wise it does not have to work as hard as the V6 to pull the same load. Also, ultimately the V8 can pull more weight, so as a % of its max, it is working less hard, if that makes sense. No load I think the V6 wins hands down, esp the 5 speed V6's. Don't you think though, under load, the V8 could be bettter?

Oh, I know it is in here some where, but I am too lazy to hunt right now. What do the V8/5 speeds have in the diff, versus your V6 with 3.73's? Thanks!

You have your point. V6 is more economical, but with all that load which I have I have no ide what engine will do better. There is no answer on this because I don't have similar equiped V8 on hand to do a comparison.

Both V6 and V8 on '05+ have 3.73 gears.

My hope is that 4.56 gears should give me some break on gas bills as well as other benefits.

[Duc Hunter]

Kewl! I have an 04 V8, not sure if my gears are the same as the '05's. BTW, cannot wait to see more shots of your rig and that kewl bumper

[bulldog]

Kewl! I have an 04 V8, not sure if my gears are the same as the '05's. BTW, cannot wait to see more shots of your rig and that kewl bumper

All 4Runner with the 5 spd auto have 3.73 gears. All 4Runners with the 4spd auto have 3.91 gears. Irrespective of model year, obviously this is only true for 4th Gen 4Runners.

I think the biggest advantage for the V6 will be the fact that you can run it in RWD only vs AWD of the V8 on the highway. Turning big rubber cost gas :D

I also think at larger tire sizes (35s +) an AT will do quite a bit better than a MT tire for gas mileage. Teh rolling resistance on MTs are horrible compared to ATs, and with a very large footprint it gets pretty bad.

[TNcaveman]

my first tank was 21.5 mpg (dash thingy said 20.0) This was 50/50 city/highway. That's what I get with a 22re - not bad for the amount of power verses the old runners. I figure with the highway treads, 24 hwy will be cool. It'll probably drop a little with 265/70-17 BFG AT's. I use my truck for work alot so it really doesn't matter :guns:

Steve

[Ryanmb21]

I have been SO pumped on my gas mileage lately.

On my last tank which was 60% highway and 40% city I got 355 gps miles...

my tank took 18.2 gallons = 19.5MPG

This is going 65-75 with 2 passengers and 265/70/17 AT's, synthetic and 91 octane.

[zorran]

I went from an average of 19.4 to 19.8 with stock tires and lift to 18.5 to 18.6 with 265 75 16 AT tires. I am happy it did not go down further.

This is 50/50 mix highway city, and I use regular unleaded gas. Also, this is with the on board computer. One thing to note, which is probably user error, I CANNOT, for the life of me, notice ANY discernible difference in mileage from stock to these tires when comparing to gps and, just today, to one of those "Your Speed = xxx" signs on the road.... I dunno if they reconfigured the puter/speedo or what, but I am surprised. I am gonna call the place that did my tires to find out...

[Ryanmb21]

I went from an average of 19.4 to 19.8 with stock tires and lift to 18.5 to 18.6 with 265 75 16 AT tires. I am happy it did not go down further.

This is 50/50 mix highway city, and I use regular unleaded gas. Also, this is with the on board computer. One thing to note, which is probably user error, I CANNOT, for the life of me, notice ANY discernible difference in mileage from stock to these tires when comparing to gps and, just today, to one of those "Your Speed = xxx" signs on the road.... I dunno if they reconfigured the puter/speedo or what, but I am surprised. I am gonna call the place that did my tires to find out...

I wouldn't use the stock computer mine (and most people's) is not reliable. For instance mine sometimes will go as high as 22mpg for a tank. Also, it's unlikely that the tire shop re calibrated your speedo. After changing to that size it's likely that you now travel 105 miles for every 100 your odo says.

[Ryanmb21]

341 Miles/ 16.7 Gallons of premium = 20.4MPG

It's been awhile since I've calculated gas mileage on a road trip, but I was very satisfied. From LA to Bass Lake (near Yosemite) and partially back, the 4runner had me, my fiance and 3 days of camping gear and I drove ~65-70MPH.

[xcmountain80]

So what is typical for a 6 with 33's (true 33, not a 285 that measures 32.8) and for an 8? I imagine with the added power the need to regear off the bat isn't as necessary as with my 02 4Runner.

Aaron

[bmad20]

My MPG is showing at 20.6 MPG and that is all city miles.. I have 255/75/17 BFG MT over my stock 265/65/17 street tread.. Would that mean that I am getting closer to 21 MPG since I dont have the speedo correction to offset for the larger tires? If the speedometer is off wouldn't my MPG meter be off as well??

[AlexJet]

Stock computer is way too optimistic, plus your speedo is off because of different tire size. So you MPG seems to be wrong.

[bmad20]

Stock computer is way too optimistic, plus your speedo is off because of different tire size. So you MPG seems to be wrong.

Yeah but wouldn't I actually be getting more MPG than what it says because I have larger tires thus making the speedo read less than I am actually traveling? Getting more miles for the same amount of fuel..

[dbiii]

I'm averaging between 13-15 mpg. Mainly city driving and taking it easy. I use 87 octane and synthetic blend oil.

I'm also hoping to change my diffs to synthetic soon so that will hopefully help slightly.